Swing bowling could prove the crucial factor in finding the winners of the Cricket World Cup.

Cricket fans are in countdown - it's just six more sleeps until the Black Caps' quest for World Cup glory hits the finals stage.

It says something about the NZ cricket team's form that Ross Taylor is under more scrutiny than anyone, if anecdotal feedback on talkback radio and social media is a gauge.

With Adam Milne sitting out the Bangladesh game as a precaution over a wonky right shoulder, in came Mitch McClenaghan for his first game in 42 days.

The Black Caps beat Bangladesh by three wickets in a tight match at Seddon Park to remain unbeaten at the World Cup.

Bangladesh have set the Black Caps 289 to win at Seddon Park in Hamilton.

The Herald's expert sports panel provides commentary on all the action from the Black Caps v Bangladesh World Cup match at Seddon Park in Hamilton today.

Brendon McCullum is becoming one of New Zealand sport's iconic leaders; Tim Southee and Trent Boult are a new-ball partnership for the ages; Kane Williamson is on a fast track to becoming the....

Bangladesh spin coach Ruwan Kalpage expects opener to be out early in tomorrow's final World Cup pool game.

This is getting greedy, but New Zealand fans might consider asking captain Brendon McCullum to bowl Kane Williamson in one-day internationals.

Eoin Morgan yesterday made a five-hour dash by plane to join his former teammates and compatriots Ireland for their World Cup match against India at Hamilton - he wasn't selected.

The England cricket team are out of the Cricket World Cup 2015 after suffering a humiliating fourth defeat, and the overseas press are not holding back the punches.

Forget the idea that certain batsmen aren't in the pink of form, or others could benefit from a decent length of time at the crease. Keep doing the business, writes David Leggat.

Not so long ago, the talk was of New Zealand, South Africa and Australia in terms of who would be making a big push for the World Cup.

New Zealand eased their way to a fifth straight World Cup win, beating Afghanistan by six wickets at a sun-drenched McLean Park today.

The Herald provides commentary on all the action in the Black Caps v Afghanistan Cricket World Cup match at McLean Park.

New Zealand have laid their cards on the table, choosing an unchanged XI for a fifth-straight game at the World Cup.

The rule of thumb in Napier is bat first every time on the best batting strip in the country. But Afghanistan's stronger suit is their bowling by some distance, writes David Leggat.

Brendon McCullum’s cricket leadership is captivating Kiwi fans. All Blacks captain Richie McCaw’s success has come over a long period. Andrew Alderson looks at how the pair compare.

One-day internationals have donned their best suit, had a haircut and brushed off their CV in a bid for future employment as a credible cricketing format, writes Andrew Alderson.

In sport as in less important things, the biggest challenge for a talented youngster can be to live up to expectations.

Lips are sealed but there's a strong likelihood of an unchanged NZ team for the fifth straight game when they face Afghanistan at McLean Park tomorrow.